Panshanger Park announce car park charges

Panshanger Park operator Tarmac are to start charging for use of the Thieves Lane car park serving the popular country park and nature reserve.

In posts on social media and the park website, the company announced that park rangers had been appointed to manage the car park and that a "flat day rate" of £2.50 between 8:30am and 5:30pm Thursday to Monday, with the intention of charging seven days a week in the near future. People visiting outside these hours will be able to park free of charge.

However, there is confusion over the charging regime, as despite claiming that the £2.50 charge is a "flat day rate", Tarmac say that for people visiting more than once in a day the fee will apply for each time they use the car park.

Michael Charlton, estates manager at Tarmac, owners of Panshanger Park, said: "The parking charge is being introduced to help support the sustainability and management of the park. The money raised from the car park will be reinvested into the park to help fund our long-term improvement plans."

Jez Perkins, estates manager at Maydencroft, who manage the day to day running of Panshanger Park, said: "Over the last 18 months the park owners and management team have invested heavily in the park with the introduction of new fencing to protect some of the more sensitive habitats such as the River Mimram, new information boards, welcome leaflet and code of conduct.

"With the planning application for the new car park also currently being considered, we now feel that it is the right time to introduce a small parking charge at Thieves Lane car park."

Users of the park and local residents have voiced concern over the introduction of the charges, with claims that motorists will simply park in the road outside the car park.

Park managers say they are aware of the problem of people parking on the surrounding streets and are looking into what can be done to prevent this.

As a resident of a neighbouring street I urge you to rethink this, it's already a nightmare getting through the road as people park in such inconsiderate places, some days (hot ones) it's extremely dangerous trying to get out of the road as cars park all the way up and down thieves lane meaning you have to pull right out to see and pray that no one is flying up or down the hill. £1 a day would be reasonable enough. You get a lot of visitors.

SJ, Facebook

Hopefully any affects further away such as parking on Thieves lane and blocking of footpaths around the park we’re part of a risk assessment done before this was agreed.

IM, Twitter

£2.50 to park on a muddy piece of land full of pot holes! At least Hartham has a tarmac road and parking bays. Surely improve what you have before charging such high rates. I feel sorry for the local residents. It will cause mayhem along Thieves Lane.

TH, Facebook

Hertford Town Council have also voiced concerns over the move, with councillors in touch with local Police, Hertfordshire Highways and Tarmac.

The charge is due to be implemented from Thursday 15th July 2021.

Read the full announcement here.